Jeff Burton – Lead-Lap.comhttp://lead-lap.com
Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:02:17 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.9Stewart Set To Return At Atlantahttp://lead-lap.com/2014/08/28/stewart-set-to-return-at-atlanta/
http://lead-lap.com/2014/08/28/stewart-set-to-return-at-atlanta/#respondThu, 28 Aug 2014 21:04:57 +0000http://lead-lap.com/?p=11538Tony Stewart will return to Sprint Cup Series competition for the first time since the incident that took the life of sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr. Stewart will race in the Oral-B USA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

In a statement, NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell said:

Tony Stewart has received all necessary clearances required to return to all racing activities, and therefore is eligible to compete this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. NASCAR has remained in constant contact with his race team, and we will stay very close to this situation as Stewart returns to competition.

Stewart was involved in the incident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in Ontario County, New York.

During the race, Stewart squeezed Ward up into the wall, which resulted in Ward getting a flat tire. Ward exited his car and walked down the track to confront Stewart, as Stewart continued around the track under caution.

Ward began pointing at Stewart when he was hit by Stewart’s car, run over and thrown a few yards down the track. He was taken to Thompson Health and was pronounced dead on arrival.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Stewart missed the last three Cup races. Regan Smith and Jeff Burton have filled in for him.

Stewart is currently 26th in points, 161 point ahead of 30th-place David Gilliland, the cutoff point to qualify for the Chase.

To be eligible for the Chase, a driver must attempt to qualify for all 26 events leading up to the Chase, and be in the top 30 in points. But, in race cases, a the requirement can be waived, as long as the driver is in the top 30.

]]>http://lead-lap.com/2014/08/28/stewart-set-to-return-at-atlanta/feed/0Stewart To Miss Bristolhttp://lead-lap.com/2014/08/20/stewart-to-miss-bristol/
http://lead-lap.com/2014/08/20/stewart-to-miss-bristol/#respondWed, 20 Aug 2014 23:31:29 +0000http://lead-lap.com/?p=11507Tony Stewart will miss the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the third consecutive race he’s missed since he struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr, who was attempting to confront Stewart on the track during a sprint car race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park.

Jeff Burton, who filled in for Stewart in the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway, will sub for Stewart again this week at Bristol.

This change only applies to Bristol, according to the team, as Stewart’s schedule for future races has not been determined.

As of this time, there is no timetable for Stewart’s return.

Stewart currently sits 25th in points. To make the Chase, a driver must be in the top 30 in points, and he or she must attempt every race leading up to the Chase.

But, in rare instances, a driver doesn’t have to attempt all races so long as they are in the top 30 in points.

]]>http://lead-lap.com/2014/08/20/stewart-to-miss-bristol/feed/0Burton To Sub For Stewart At MIShttp://lead-lap.com/2014/08/15/burton-to-sub-for-stewart-at-mis/
http://lead-lap.com/2014/08/15/burton-to-sub-for-stewart-at-mis/#respondFri, 15 Aug 2014 01:17:24 +0000http://lead-lap.com/?p=11472Tony Stewart will not race in the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Burton will drive the No. 14 Stewart Haas Racing Chevy in the race.

Stewart missed the Cheez-It 355 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International, and he canceled plans this week to runa race at Plymouth Speedway.

Burton is running a limited schedule for Michael Waltrip Racing this season, as he prepares to enter the broadcast booth next season. He finished 17th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and 20th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

]]>http://lead-lap.com/2014/08/15/burton-to-sub-for-stewart-at-mis/feed/0Burton Joins NBC Broadcast Boothhttp://lead-lap.com/2013/12/03/burton-joins-nbc-broadcast-booth/
http://lead-lap.com/2013/12/03/burton-joins-nbc-broadcast-booth/#respondTue, 03 Dec 2013 20:26:40 +0000http://lead-lap.com/?p=10346Jeff Burton, who was recently signed by Michael Waltrip Racing to drive part time in the Sprint Cup Series and test for that team, has also signed with NBC as a NASCAR analyst.

Sam Flood, an executive producer with NBC, said:

Jeff Burton was always the first person we would seek out when there was breaking news or an issue that needed to be covered throughout our previous contract with NASCAR, so he was the first person we called for this role. His insights, keen observations and many trophies have earned the respect of everyone involved with the sport. He will be an outstanding analyst, and has everyone here looking even more forward to getting started.

Burton will split time between the broadcast booth and the seat of the No. 66 Sprint Cup Toyota until 2015, when NBC starts its exclusive coverage of the Sprint cup and Nationwide Series races. Then, Burton will become a full time analyst.

]]>http://lead-lap.com/2013/12/03/burton-joins-nbc-broadcast-booth/feed/0MWR Signs Burton To Run Part Timehttp://lead-lap.com/2013/12/02/mwr-signs-burton-to-run-part-time/
http://lead-lap.com/2013/12/02/mwr-signs-burton-to-run-part-time/#respondMon, 02 Dec 2013 20:18:26 +0000http://lead-lap.com/?p=10342Michael Waltrip Racing has signed Jeff Burton to test and drive in a select number of races in the Sprint Cup Series in 2014.

Burton will drive the No. 66 Toyota at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March of 2014.

Burton will also test the No. 55 Toyota for Brian Vickers, while Vickers is still on medical leave.

Team co-owner Rob Kauffman said:

Michael Waltrip Racing has two teams and drivers racing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship in 2014 and our third team will play a very important role in that pursuit. We were extremely fortunate to have a driver as experienced and respected as Jeff Burton come available. He will be able to have an immediate impact as we continue to strive for that last one percent that separates champions from contenders.

Newman replaced Jeff Burton who is leaving the team at season’s end. Burton has been rumored to be heading to Swan Racing or Tommy Baldwin Racing.

Team owner Richard Childress said:

I am very proud to have Ryan in our No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet starting next year. We have high expectations for this No. 31 team. Ryan has proven himself to be a great driver and I’m looking forward to winning races with him. Luke Lambert will be his crew chief and the team is staying together next year. That team is building momentum to not only finish out this year strong, but to get even better in 2014. Ryan will be a great fit with CAT and RCR in many ways. He’s an outdoorsman, a conservationist and is very familiar with CAT equipment as an owner of some of their products.

Newman added:

I’m very pleased Richard and I were able to put this deal together for me to drive RCR’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet. About five years ago, Richard and I talked about me joining RCR before I signed with my current team, but things just didn’t work out. However, we were able to make it happen this time and I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my career. RCR has a long history of winning races and championships, and I want to add to that tradition.

Speculation started swirling that Newman was headed to RCR to replace the departing Kevin Harvick in the No. 29. But, it appears that the No. 31 would be a better fit as it had sponsorship while the No. 29 did not, as Budweiser announced that it was moving to SHR as well.

Newman has 17 Sprint Cup Series wins, 93 Top 5s, 178 Top 10s and 50 poles.

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]]>http://lead-lap.com/2013/09/06/stremme-out-at-swan-racing/feed/1Almirola, Ambrose Set To Return To RPM In 2014http://lead-lap.com/2013/09/05/almirola-ambrose-set-to-return-to-rpm-in-2014/
http://lead-lap.com/2013/09/05/almirola-ambrose-set-to-return-to-rpm-in-2014/#respondThu, 05 Sep 2013 16:19:09 +0000http://lead-lap.com/?p=9886While the paperwork still needs to clear, it appears that Aric Almirola and Marcos Ambrose are both set to return to Richard Petty Motorsports in 2014, according to PopularSpeed.com.

Almirola said:

We’re real close on finishing everything. The continuity of keeping everything the same and working with this team and [crew chief] Todd Parrott will be a huge advantage. All the guys on this team do a good job and they understand these cars and what it takes to make them go faster. We’re looking forward to building on that next year.

Ambrose added:

We need to maintain this progression. I feel like we only have a few more chances this year to learn in advance of next season but I’m really excited about the future. We’ve had time to re-stabilize and get some of the mojo back and I look forward to better things next year.

Almirola joined RPM before the start of the 2012 Cup season. He has two Top 5s, nine Top 10s, and one pole. Ambrose joined RPM in 2011. He has two wins wins (both at Watkins Glen International in 2011 and 2012), eight Top 5s, 25 Top 10s, and three poles.

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]]>http://lead-lap.com/2013/09/05/almirola-ambrose-set-to-return-to-rpm-in-2014/feed/0Montoya Tours Furniture Row Racing Shophttp://lead-lap.com/2013/09/05/montoya-tours-furniture-row-racing-shop/
http://lead-lap.com/2013/09/05/montoya-tours-furniture-row-racing-shop/#respondThu, 05 Sep 2013 15:44:00 +0000http://lead-lap.com/?p=9883Juan Pablo Montoya took a tour of the Furniture Row Racing shop on Tuesday, according to FoxSports.com. FRR general manager Joe Garone confirmed that Montoya was there and that he is on the short list of drivers to replace Kurt Busch in the No. 78 at the end of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season.

Since being told that he would not be renewed, Montoya has been auditioning for a new ride. In the four races since the news was announced Montoya has posted two Top 5s and three Top 10s. His worst finish during that span was 11th.

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]]>http://lead-lap.com/2013/09/05/montoya-tours-furniture-row-racing-shop/feed/0Burton Will Not Return To RCR; Heading To Swan?http://lead-lap.com/2013/09/04/burton-headed-to-swan-racing/
http://lead-lap.com/2013/09/04/burton-headed-to-swan-racing/#commentsWed, 04 Sep 2013 15:41:42 +0000http://lead-lap.com/?p=9873Rumor has it that Ryan Newman may be headed to Richard Childress Racing in 2014, according to Fox Sports 1’s Race Day program. But, instead of fielding four teams, RCR would only field three, with Jeff Burton leaving the team to join a satellite RCR team.

Wendy Venturini, of Fox Sports 1’s Race Day, said that Burton would move to Swan Racing in the No. 30, with sponsorship from Caterpillar.

But, Swan Racing currently fields Toyotas and is not an RCR affiliate team. David Stremme, current driver of the No. 30 Toyota, is also part owner of the team, so that might complicate any Burton deal.

Furniture Row Racing, a current RCR affiliate team, will be looking for a driver in 2014, with Kurt Busch leaving that team to drive for Stewart Haas Racing in 2014. This could be a potential spot for Burton.

Tommy Baldwin Racing is also an RCR affiliate team. JJ Yeley and Dave Blaney are the current drivers for that team, with Blaney’s contract ending at the season’s end. Burton could end up in one of these cars next season.

Update: Jeff Burton will not return to Richard Childress Racing in 2014, he announced.

Burton said:

I strongly believe in the No. 31 team as to what we can achieve this year, and for the team in seasons to follow. However, the financial realities for next year were obvious to both Richard (Childress) and me. So, we talked about it and both made the decision to make this move for the team’s future. I would like to thank the dealers, customers and employees of Caterpillar for all we’ve achieved together. You can’t ask for a better and more supportive sponsor than those people, and it’s been an honor to wear their black and yellow colors on my uniform.

Childress added:

We have been working hard to try and get all the funding in place to have four Sprint Cup teams in 2014. With the date on the calendar getting closer to 2014, we just couldn’t run partially funded teams next year. Knowing what Jeff’s plans were in 2015, he and I worked out an agreement for him to step out of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet after this season. … I can’t thank him and Caterpillar enough for how great they’ve been as we work through this transition. We intend to finish out 2013 in a strong way and I look forward to the possibility of Jeff still being part of RCR in the near future, just not driving the No. 31 car.

Burton, who has won four Sprint Cup Series races with the team and 21 in his career, has driven for RCR since 2005.